UPDATE: Reward in McKamey's animal cruelty case now at $6,000

UPDATE: Desiree, the pit bull mix that was tossed in a dumpster is recovering well, according to officials at McKamey Animal Center.

A second dog, believed to be a littermate of Desiree’s was also found.

The reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible has risen to $6,000, with donations being made by members of the community and PETA.

Tip have been streaming in, and McKamey has been conducting interviews and they tell Channel 3 they hope to make an arrest this week.

PREVIOUS STORY: A day after a Chattanooga resident found a dog left in a garbage can, an almost identical looking dog, now named Desmond, was found walking around in the same area where the Desiree was found and was brought to the McKamey Animal Center.

Authorities believe both Desmond and Desiree suffered at the hands of the same person, but they have yet to determine who is responsible for abusing and abandoning them.

A press release says, PETA is offering a reward up to $5000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for this crime. This reward is in addition to the $500 reward offered by McKamey.

McKamey has an anonymous tip line to report animal cruelty as well as officers on duty 24/7. Please call McKamey Animal Center at 423-305-6500 extension #3 to report animal abuse or tips on this case or citizens can leave an anonymous tip by calling 423-305-6508

PREVIOUS STORY: The young female pit bull that was abandoned in a dumpster is being cared for at McKamey.

The dog, named Desiree by the staff, was able to claw her way out of a garbage bag she was left in, but was too weak to get out of the dumpster where she was found.

She was cut by glass in the dumpster and is emaciated. Her skin is in bad shape from neglect, but McKamey hopes to nurse her to health and prepare her for a forever home.

PREVIOUS STORY: McKamey Animal Center is seeking the public's help in identifying the person or people responsible for the abandonment and neglect of a severely malnourished dog who was placed in a garbage bag and left in a dumpster while still alive.

A press release says that a good Samaritan discovered the dog while putting trash in a dumpster. The person told McKamey officials that the dog had torn her way out of the bag, but was too weak to escape the dumpster. The dog was found among broken glass and construction debris while tangled in the bag she tried to free herself.

McKamey officials said the dog is in very poor condition with a broken leg as well as suffering from emaciation and a severe skin infection with open sores on her body.

The dog was discovered in the 7700 block of Nautical Way in Chattanooga, and officials believe the dog may have lived in that area. The incident occurred between Sunday and Monday.

Animal abandonment is against the law, pursuant to the Tennessee statute on cruelty to animals, section 39-14-202(a)(3). The $500 reward is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person or persons involved with the abandonment and or neglect of this dog.§ 39-14-202. Cruelty to animals:

Cruelty to animals is a Class A misdemeanor.

A second or subsequent conviction for cruelty to animals is a Class E felony.

Violation of any prohibition or restriction imposed by the sentencing court pursuant to subdivision (e) is a Class A misdemeanor.

McKamey has an anonymous tip line to report animal cruelty as well as officers on duty 24/7. Please call McKamey Animal Center at 423-305-6500 extension #3 to report animal abuse or tips on this case or citizens can leave an anonymous tip by calling 423-305-6508